Medical device loading systems, devices, and methods

Abstract

A cartridge insertion system includes a chassis supporting a fluid circuit, the chassis having a forward end with key pins projecting from the forward end and a rear end. The system also includes a medical treatment device with a slot opening closed by doors having a major dimension and having key openings spaced apart a same distance as the key pins on the chassis, such that when the chassis is pushed toward the slot opening, the key pins enter the key openings before the forward end meets the doors. The key pins push against latches that hold the door locked shut, so that the doors will not open if a cartridge without key pins is pressed against the door. When a cartridge with key pins is used, the doors unlock and allow the cartridge to be inserted.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cartridge insertion system, comprising:
 a chassis supporting a fluid circuit, the chassis having a forward end with key pins projecting from said forward end and a rear end; 
 a medical treatment device having a slot opening closed by doors having a major dimension, the doors having key openings spaced apart a same distance as said key pins such that when said chassis is pushed toward said slot opening, said key pins enter said key openings before said forward end meets said doors; 
 latches on said medical treatment device immediately behind said key openings, each of the latches configured to pivot on a latch axis; 
 the doors pivoting on door axes parallel to the major dimension; and 
 the latches and the doors being configured to interfere such that when the latches are closed in a home position, prior to contact with said key pins, the doors are prevented from opening and such that when said key pins push against said latches, the latches move to one side, releasing the doors. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said key openings are located to one side of the major dimension of said slot opening. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said latch axis is perpendicular to said major dimension. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said latch axis is parallel to said major dimension. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said latches have opposing facing edges that engage with ridges on said doors when the doors are closed and the latches are in the home position prior to being pushed by the key pins. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge holds the doors open and the doors are spring loaded to close such that when the latches return to the home position the doors are locked and prevent objects from being inserted. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge holds the doors open and the doors are spring loaded to close such that when the latches return to the home position the doors are locked and prevent objects from being inserted. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid circuit has tubes that project away from said rear end extending beyond said rear end to connect to connectors remote from said chassis, and
 said tubes are generally parallel. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid circuit includes a pumping tube segment connected to the chassis. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the pumping tube segment is positioned parallel to said major dimension when the chassis is oriented for insertion in said slot opening. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein said pumping tube segment lies between a major portion of the chassis and a line connecting tips of said key pins. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9 , wherein said pumping tube segment is attached to pressure pods at either end of the pumping tube segment. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said chassis has a rear fence with slots for tubes, and
 said rear fence is aligned with the slot opening when said chassis is fully inserted in said medical treatment device. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chassis has a generally uniform depth, the depth being perpendicular to two major dimensions thereof. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the doors prevent the latches from closing by remaining in interfering engagement therewith such that the latches cannot close before the doors close. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the chassis is inserted in the slot opening, the latches are first to open and when the chassis withdrawn from the slot opening, the latches are last to close.